MANILA, Philippines--Beer” connotes hefty beer bellies, smoky pubs and drunken college keg parties—an image light years away from the hard core training, single digit body fat, Lycra-clad lean mean workout machines of your typical triathlete.

Balancing a long-time passion for beer and a serious commitment to a sport lifestyle is something Jim Araneta, amazingly, manages to do.

From a peak of 225 lbs, Araneta trimmed down to 175 in several months due to an intense swim, bike and run regimen. He finished his first Ironman in 13-plus hours.

The “Ironman” president of Global Beer Exchange (GBex) is going back to an early infatuation—beer—and is now poised to launch over 30 varieties of premium beer in the Philippines.

Premium flavors

GBex’s select, premium select and super premium beers are leagues away from your typical P10 beer-garden variety, with 750-ml ceramic bottles for reserve brews and 12- and 22-oz bottles starting at P150.

The collection runs the gamut of flavors from lighter and mellower-tasting lagers like the Marzen, Pilsner & Blonde Bock brewed by Gordon Biersch, to more complex ales like Ballast Point, which produces the fruity Wahoo Wheat Beer, a malty Calico Amber Ale and a very hoppy Big Eye India Pale Ale.

Araneta predicts, “Even non-beer fans may be converted by a sampling of our Chocolate Stout, Mocha Porter, Hazelnut Brown Ale & Barley Wine from the highly acclaimed Rogue Ales in Oregon.”

Araneta chose the US as source of his beers because his research revealed that due to the country’s melting pot culture, its brewing industry is more diverse than other great brewing nations in Europe like Belgium, Germany and the UK.

It also produces unique American Ales, from plain hoppy to extremely hoppy (bitter).

Araneta’s plan is to hike beer—generally the hoi poloi’s drink of choice—to a whole new level alongside premium wines and top-shelf liquors. He is limiting distribution points to a handful of outlets that share his passion.

“I am taking a very conservative approach with distribution because most important to me is how the beer is served to the customer. Ideally, I’d like the customers to enjoy the beer the way they do fine wine. I want it to be a feast for the senses (fizz, appearance, aroma, bouquet, taste, mouth feel, etc) and a stimulant for great conversation,” he explains.

Araneta is working with owners and chefs of dining establishments known for good food. He is involved in identifying the most suitable beer and food pairings. The diner must experience the beer and food selection as a journey.

Fond memories

Managing to sell six packs and keeping a six-pack is no mean feat. Araneta can be torn between his love of ale and love of the race.

“I have always wanted my own brewery, and finally at age 43 I am making this happen. And the fact that I also happen to be in better shape now than 20 years ago just makes it all the sweeter,” he says.

His love for beer springs from fond memories of his grandfather. “I guess beer has always been special for me because it reminds me of my grandfather. I knew that when I’d see him look towards my direction with brown paper bag in hand, it was bonding time over a six-pack. We hardly needed to speak, it was enough to enjoy a cold one together while watching the news.”

Every other Filipino enjoys a “cold one.” However, not every triathlete and Ironman finisher does. Rarely do drinking alcohol and triathlon training go hand in hand.
Beer enjoyed in moderation is healthy, says Araneta.

“I consider it a pretty good form of carbo-loading. More so with the beer selection of GBeX. Because they are preservative-free, this means less calories at 150 per 12-oz serving. They’re also fat- and cholesterol-free.”

That should work well for triathletes who need carbohydrates to burn. For Araneta, all it takes to burn one bottle of beer is an intense 15-minute workout. ” When I competed at Ironman Western Australia last year, one of the major sponsors was a beer company. Beer was served at the official pre- and post-race function.”

The more sedentary beer drinker, who’s not into sports but who wants to burn calories, can do a brisk one-hour stroll, which is equivalent to “burning” a bottle or two.

“I love that I’m in better shape now in my 40s than any other time in my life,” says Araneta. “The Ironman distance triathlon is a race that covers 3.8 km of open-water swimming, 180 km of cycling and a full 42 km marathon distance. It took me over 13 hours to complete, so yes, it can probably be considered torture. But I do it to stay in shape, hold off ‘Father Time’ and, of course, to enjoy my beer without guilt.”

Jim’s Races 2007-2008
2007 Ironman Western Australia Tri
2007 Whiterock Half Ironman Tri
2007 O2 Double Olympic Distance Tri
2007 IBA Olympic Distance Tri
2007 Ayala Alabang Sprint Tri
2007 National Triathlon Championship Sprint Tri
2007 New Balance 25-km run
2008 Subic to Clark Expressway 120-km cycling race
2008 XRC Team Time Trials
2008 Condura Race for Tubbataha 10-km run
2008 Mizuno Run 15-km run